Chocolate & Wine: The Italian Art of Pairing

La Dolce Vita: The Italian Philosophy of Dessert

In Italy, dessert isn't a grand finale—it's a gentle conclusion. After a leisurely meal, Italians don't reach for heavy cakes or elaborate pastries. Instead, they savor something simple and exquisite: a piece of fine chocolate, a glass of wine, and conversation that lingers long into the evening.

This is the Italian art of dolce—the sweet moment that caps a meal, cleanses the palate, and extends the pleasure of being together. And when it comes to pairing chocolate with wine (or balsamic, or espresso), Italians have turned it into an art form.

This Valentine's week, discover how to pair Italian chocolate like a true connoisseur, creating moments of pure indulgence that are as romantic as they are delicious.

The Italian Chocolate Tradition

Italy's chocolate heritage runs deep, especially in Piedmont and Umbria, where artisan chocolatiers have been perfecting their craft for centuries. Unlike mass-produced chocolate, Italian chocolate emphasizes quality ingredients, traditional techniques, and regional character.

Perugina: The Heart of Italian Chocolate
Founded in Perugia in 1907, Perugina is synonymous with Italian chocolate excellence. Their most famous creation, Baci ("kisses"), are hazelnut-filled dark chocolate truffles wrapped in romantic love notes—making them the perfect Valentine's treat.

What sets Italian chocolate apart:

• Piedmont hazelnuts: The finest hazelnuts in the world, grown in the hills of Piedmont, give Italian chocolate its distinctive nutty richness
• Higher cocoa content: Italian dark chocolate typically contains 50-70% cocoa, creating a more sophisticated, less sweet flavor
• Artisan craftsmanship: Traditional methods and quality ingredients over mass production

The Art of Pairing: Five Italian Combinations

1. Dark Chocolate + Red Wine (Barolo or Amarone)

The classic Italian pairing

The chocolate:

• Perugina 51% Dark Chocolate Bar – Smooth Italian Fine Chocolate (3 oz)
• Perugina Baci Dark Chocolate Truffles – Classic Italian Gift Box (5.29 oz)

The wine: Full-bodied Italian reds like Barolo, Amarone, or Brunello di Montalcino

Why it works: The tannins in dark chocolate mirror the tannins in red wine, creating a harmonious balance. The wine's fruity notes (cherry, plum, blackberry) complement the chocolate's bitterness, while the chocolate softens the wine's astringency.

How to taste:

• Take a small bite of dark chocolate and let it melt on your tongue
• Sip the wine while the chocolate is still coating your palate
• Notice how the flavors evolve together—the wine becomes fruitier, the chocolate becomes smoother

The Italian moment: This is the pairing for a quiet evening by the fire, when conversation flows and time slows down.

2. Milk Chocolate + Moscato d'Asti

Sweet meets sweet in perfect harmony

The chocolate:

• Perugina Baci Milk Chocolate Truffles – Classic Italian Bag (4.4 oz)

The wine: Moscato d'Asti—a lightly sparkling, sweet white wine from Piedmont

Why it works: Moscato's floral sweetness and gentle bubbles complement milk chocolate's creamy, caramel notes without overwhelming them. The wine's acidity cuts through the chocolate's richness, keeping each bite fresh.

How to taste:

• Let the milk chocolate melt slowly, releasing its creamy hazelnut filling
• Sip the chilled Moscato—the bubbles cleanse your palate
• The combination tastes like honeyed flowers and toasted nuts

The Italian moment: This is the pairing for celebrations—Valentine's Day toasts, anniversaries, or simply because it's Saturday.

3. Hazelnut Chocolate + Vin Santo

Tuscany's classic dessert pairing

The chocolate:

• Quaranta Dark Chocolate Florentine with Hazelnut (4.23 oz)
• Any Baci chocolate (they're filled with whole hazelnuts)

The wine: Vin Santo—Tuscany's traditional dessert wine, amber-colored and nutty

Why it works: Vin Santo is aged in barrels for years, developing flavors of caramel, dried fruit, and toasted nuts—a perfect mirror for hazelnut chocolate. The wine's oxidized character adds complexity without competing.

How to taste:

• In Tuscany, they dip biscotti in Vin Santo—try the same with hazelnut chocolate
• Take a bite, then sip the wine
• The nutty flavors amplify each other beautifully

The Italian moment: This is the pairing for intimate dinners, when you want something traditional and deeply satisfying.

4. Dark Chocolate + Aged Balsamic Vinegar

The unexpected Italian genius

The chocolate: High-quality dark chocolate (60% cocoa or higher)

The pairing:

• Colavita Original Balsamic Vinegar Glaze (8.5 oz)
• Or aged balsamic vinegar (12+ years)

Why it works: Aged balsamic from Modena is thick, sweet, and complex—tasting of figs, cherries, and caramel. When drizzled over dark chocolate or fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate, it adds acidity and depth that makes the chocolate taste even more luxurious.

How to serve:

• Drizzle balsamic glaze over dark chocolate squares
• Dip strawberries in melted dark chocolate, then drizzle with balsamic
• Serve dark chocolate alongside a small dish of aged balsamic for dipping

The Italian moment: This is the pairing that surprises and delights—perfect for impressing a date or discovering something new together.

5. Any Chocolate + Italian Espresso

The everyday Italian ritual

The chocolate: Any quality Italian chocolate—Baci, Perugina bars, or artisan truffles

The pairing: A shot of strong Italian espresso

Why it works: Espresso's bitterness and chocolate's sweetness create perfect balance. The coffee enhances chocolate's complexity, bringing out hidden notes of fruit, spice, and earth.

How to enjoy:

• Brew a proper espresso—small, strong, with thick crema
• Take a bite of chocolate, let it melt
• Sip the espresso while the chocolate coats your palate
• The combination is pure Italian comfort

The Italian moment: This is the pairing for lazy Sunday mornings, afternoon breaks, or the end of a long day—simple, satisfying, and deeply Italian.

Creating Your Italian Chocolate & Wine Experience

The setup:

• Choose 2-3 types of chocolate (dark, milk, hazelnut)
• Select 1-2 wines or pairings (red wine, Moscato, balsamic, espresso)
• Arrange chocolate on a small plate or board
• Serve wine in proper glasses (small portions—this is about tasting, not drinking)
• Add fresh strawberries or raspberries for color and palate cleansing

The tasting order:

1. Start with the lightest pairing (milk chocolate + Moscato)
2. Move to medium intensity (hazelnut chocolate + Vin Santo)
3. Finish with the boldest (dark chocolate + red wine or balsamic)
4. End with espresso and a final piece of your favorite chocolate

The ambiance:

• Dim the lights, light candles
• Play soft Italian music (Andrea Bocelli, Eros Ramazzotti)
• Sit close together—this is an intimate experience
• Take your time—savor each pairing, discuss what you taste
• No phones, no distractions—just chocolate, wine, and each other

Why Italians Pair Chocolate This Way

In Italy, dessert isn't about filling up—it's about extending the pleasure of the meal, creating a moment of sweetness that lingers. Pairing chocolate with wine or balsamic isn't pretentious; it's practical. The acidity and complexity of wine or vinegar balance chocolate's richness, preventing palate fatigue and making each bite taste as good as the first.

It's also deeply romantic. Sharing chocolate and wine is intimate—you're tasting together, discovering together, experiencing something beautiful together. It's the Italian way of saying "I want to savor this moment with you."

Curated Selections for Your Italian Chocolate Experience

Ready to create your own Italian chocolate and wine pairing? Here are the essentials:

• Perugina Baci Dark Chocolate Truffles – Classic Italian Gift Box (5.29 oz)
• Perugina Baci Milk Chocolate Truffles – Classic Italian Bag (4.4 oz)
• Colavita Original Balsamic Vinegar Glaze (8.5 oz)

New to Pick & Get? Explore our collection of authentic Italian chocolates and gourmet pairings and use code 5OFF on your first order. Because the sweetest moments are made with the best ingredients—and shared with the people you love.

Buon San Valentino! May your chocolate be rich, your wine be perfect, and your evening be unforgettable.